Gambling industry should help those it harms, say Methodists

Gambling industry should help those it harms, say Methodists

By agency reporter

October 22, 2008

The Methodist Church has welcomed the new Gambling Commission report and its recommendations. The report underlines the responsibility of the industry to provide money to help people who are harmed by gambling.

The Methodist Church has welcomed the new Gambling Commission report, published on 21 October 2008, and its recommendations. The report underlines the responsibility of the gambling industry to provide enough money to help people who are harmed by gambling.

David Bradwell, Policy Adviser for the Methodist Church in Britain, commented: "There are around a quarter of a million problem gamblers in the UK. We need more money to make sure that these people receive sufficient support and advice and that vulnerable people don’t develop a problem with gambling."

He continued: "We support the ‘polluter pays’ principle. If not enough money is raised through the current voluntary system, we want to see the Government introducing compulsory payments by gambling businesses."

Bradwell added: "In Britain we are way behind other countries, including Canada, South Africa and New Zealand in terms of dealing adequately with problem gambling. The Government and the Gambling Commission must look again at the international context and find out what more can be done in the UK to help people who are at risk of being exploited by gambling."

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